Liverpool are reportedly closing in on a deal for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka – but German publication Bild are not very eager on the move. The Schalke midfielder is out of contract in the summer and the Reds are interested in bringing him to Anfield on a free transfer.

With Emre Can possibly heading out of Liverpool, supporters have been keen to see Goretzka arrive as a like-for-like replacement. Apart from Liverpool, the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal are all interested in signing the German international from Schalke.

However, German newspaper Bild claim Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are winning the race for his signature but they certainly do not think the same.

“Great fans, great money and with [Jurgen] Klopp also a great coach – so there are some good reasons to go to Liverpool,” the report read.

“But anyone who chooses Liverpool, however, decides against winning an important title for the foreseeable future.

“To become champions in the Premier League is almost as unlikely for Klopp and Liverpool in the next few years as a triumph in the Champions League.”

German champions Bayern Munich have supposedly agreed on a deal to sign Goretzka, something both the player’s agent and Schalke’s sporting director have both denied.

“When the decision has been made, Leon and I will inform Schalke first of all,” Goretzka’s agent, Jorg Neubauer said, as quoted by ESPN.

Schalke director Christian Heidel revealed he had not been informed of any agreement with Bayern.

“Leon has not informed us that he has decided to change the air and I trust Leon and his representative, with whom I had contact yesterday,” he said.

The 22-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the 2017/18 campaign and it’s no secret that a number of elite European clubs are vying for his signature.

It’s really very shocking to see a reputed newspaper like Bild make such comments on a player joining Liverpool. Yes, we haven’t won the Premier League for a long time and our last Champions League triumph is more than a decade old, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t a big club.

This is really atrocious but the German publication may have to get used to seeing Goretzka in a Liverpool shirt, especially after rumours of a deal with Bayern Munich were dismissed this week by his agent.